Big Girls Don't Cry ✔️

Biology doesn't make a parent, love does

Kelsey

Dad and Martin went shopping, returning with everything we needed for Jordyn. I took care of Jordyn while they set up the nursery. Mom held her, and we switched, cuddling Jordyn.

Martin and Dad got everything set, albeit bickering as they worked on the nursery. I chuckled as I listened to them. Mom taught me how to feed, burp, and change her. She also guided me on how to bathe her. It was a crash course.

I showed Martin, and he had a few minor mishaps, especially when he changed Jordyn's diaper, and she peed on him. He'll learn.

We adjusted to Jordyn and leaving her when I had to report for duty was hard. I missed her while I was gone. That left Martin to baby duty.

*********
Martin

The first time Kelsey left me alone with Jordyn made me nervous. She was a natural, whereas I wasn't. I had to give her a bottle and changed her. Jordyn dropped a load in her diaper, and that was fun. I went through a half container of wipes, cleaning her up.

Then she decided she wanted to cry, a lot. I did everything I could, but this kid wasn't having any of it. I walked with her as I rocked her while she cried. She finally stopped at five in the morning. I put her down in her crib and went to bed.

Jordyn let me sleep thirty minutes, then started crying.

"Okay, daddy's coming," I mumbled as I crawled out of bed and made my way to her room. She exhausted me to the point; I almost put coffee in her bottle. Kelsey would be home soon. I hope.

I managed to take care of Jordyn and slept when she slept. I laid her on the bed as I placed pillows around her and laid down next to a pillow. She relaxed, and I slept. Sleep is a glorious thing when you lack it.

When Jordyn woke up, she let me know she is awake. I got up and picked her up and realized she soaked her diaper. Okay, first a bath, then I'll change the sheets. I cleaned her up and turned her; then I set her in a bouncer as I changed the bed. She fell asleep in the bouncer.

I looked at Jordyn. "Now, you sleep."

Kelsey finished up her weekend for the reserves and returned home. She ran over, and I went to hug her, and she took Jordyn from me.

"Mommy missed you," Kelsey told Jordan as Kelsey held Jordyn.

"What about me?" I asked her.

"Yeah, you too," Kelsey said as I rolled my eyes. She chuckled as she kissed me.

It was an adjustment with Jordyn, but we managed with her and settled into family life. The only problem is something that would alter our life dramatically.

*******
Kelsey

Jordyn's adoption became final two months after we brought her. She was ours, and I was so happy. Martin got better at being a dad to her and finally got fatherhood down. His web business was doing well too.

We watched as Jordyn grew and was more alert. She was so curious and active. I loved being a mom. I couldn't wait to see all her firsts.

One morning I was feeding Jordyn cereal in the kitchen when I heard Martin say, "Oh my god." I looked at the doorway when he yelled, "Kelsey! Come in here!"

I set the spoon down and unhooked Jordyn from her bouncer and carried her into the living room when I stopped. The TV was on, and I stood there as we watched one of the twin towers had smoke coming out of it.

We watched the news as people talked and screamed, then we watched as another plane flew into the other tower. We stood there, shocked. It threw New York into chaos as the world looked on, watching it unfold.

Our phone rang as Martin answered it. "Hello?" He replied. "Yeah, Kelsey's here," he said as I walked over to him. He took the baby as I answered the phone.

"Hello?" I answered as my commanding officer was on the other hand. I stood there and listened. My commanding officer was calling me back to duty. My commanding officer ordered me to New York, and from there, deployed overseas.

I hung up as Martin looked at me with furrowed brows.

"You have to go, don't you?" Martin asked me.

"Yes," I answered as he sighed. "I have to report to New York City by tomorrow and help, then they are deploying me overseas," I said as tears fell. Martin walked over and put his hand on my face as he looked at me in the eyes.

"I know you don't want to leave, and we don't want you to go, but people need you," Martin said as tears fell down my cheeks. "Kelsey, we knew this was a possibility."

"Martin, I'm going to miss her firsts," I said as I cried.

"No, you won't. I will record every moment and send it to you. Plus, we can call each other. We will make this work," Martin assured me. I took Jordyn from him and held her as he kept us both.

I hated leaving them, but there is always a chance I had to. I went up to pack and change into my fatigues. I had to catch a red-eye to New York City. Since most airlines were grounded, I had to take a military helicopter.

Martin drove me to the base as Jordyn slept in her car seat in the backseat. I informed the guard who I was.

"Corporal Kelsey Hayes reporting for duty," I announced myself as the guard saluted me and opened the gate. Martin pulled through and drove up to the base. He parked, and we got out of the car. He grabbed Jordyn as I grabbed my bags from the trunk.

"You go and help, and when it's over, you come home to us. We'll be waiting," Martin told me as I nodded. I hugged him and kissed him. I took Jordyn as I held her and kissed her. She cried as I promised to return to her and Martin. I handed her back to Martin as I kissed him once more, then I picked up my bags.

"I love you, Kelsey!" Martin yelled.

I turned and smiled. "I love you both! Take care of our daughter!" I yelled as he nodded. I turned back around and walked to a chopper, ducking as someone helped me with my bags as I climbed into the helicopter. I sat down in a seat and buckled myself in as I placed a helmet on then heard someone say, "Welcome back, Corporal Hayes."

I looked at Staff Sargent Forbes. "It's good to be back Staff Sargent." He gave me a thumbs-up as I did the same as the pilot lifted the chopper, carrying us to New York City. The military was on high alert as the president was arriving, and we had to help first responders with civilians. It would set in motion for what was to come and my life in the military.